Run baby, run

Why is Karl Street up at 5.30 a.m. on a Friday morning, ready to hit the Corniche with his running shoes?

Why is Karl Street up at 5.30 a.m. on a Friday morning, ready to hit the Corniche with his running shoes?

“If you know you have a friend waiting for you at the meeting point, you can’t let him down right?”

I suppose you can’t. Which is why, not just Karl, but the

rest of the Doha Bay Running Club also set their alarms for an early wake-up.

The members meet regularly for a sprint thrice a week. There’s a Slow Run at 5.30 a.m. at the Corniche on Friday; Track training at Al Saad Stadium at 6 p.m. or Qatar Sports Club Stadium at 7 p.m. on Tuesday; and Introductory starters run at Aspire Park at 6 pm on Sunday.

Karl started the club in 2009, the year he landed in Doha, after realising that running alone was no fun. The club now has 40-60 active members.

“It’s not just about running, it’s socialising too. Most of the people in the club live away from their families, so it’s a good way for them to socialise,” he says.

Wendy Fitzmaurice, 59, is one of the oldest members of the club, and she shows no signs of slowing down. “I enjoy the company of people in the club. That’s what probably got me going in the first place. Secondly I like keeping fit and young. So I will continue running till I drop dead,” she says.

“And the best part about being a runner is that no matter which walk of life you come from, we see everyone as equals.”

She has just one wish though. “I would really like to see more Qataris go running, or even walking, because they have huge health problems.”

Why should you join?

It will make you fit.

You increase your social circle.

Wendy’s famous muffins make a good bribe.

You get free t-shirts if you take part in races.

You get to participate in marathons.

Registration is free. You just have to invest in a pair of trainers.

Risk factor:

You might have to forgo Thursday night-outs for the early Friday morning run.